Tempel, the leading independent producer of magnetic laminations for motors, generators and transformers, has earned International Automotive Task Force (IATF) 16949:2016 certification at its manufacturing facilities at Changzhou, Chennai, Chicago and Mexico. The certification brings together worldwide standards to define the quality management system (QMS) requirements for automotive production, service and/or accessory parts for organizations in the automotive industry. 

“Transitioning to the new IATF 16949:2016 to meet all applicable requirements demonstrates Tempel’s commitment to consistently reduce risks and strategically manage quality in all business processes,” said Judith I. Valdez, Tempel’s Global Quality Director.

According to Valdez, all Tempel divisions successfully achieved the certification before the September 14, 2018, deadline defined by the IATF. The certifications at the different Tempel facilities, which were mostly attained with zero major non-conformance during the certification audits, are a testament to the company’s sustained focus on the effectiveness and efficiency of its QMS.

To earn the IATF 16949:2016 certification, organizations must have a QMS that:

• Provides for continual improvement
• Emphasizes defect prevention
• Meets specific requirements and tools from the automotive industry
• Promotes reduction of variation and waste in the supply chain

According to Valdez, Tempel has processes in place to maintain certification which include, “recording all lessons learned from the certification process and having defined action plans to capitalize on opportunities for continuous improvements with the aim of fulfilling customer requirements and ensuring the highest quality in our products.”

IATF certification supersedes and replaces International Standards Organization (ISO)/Technical Specification 16949. It is designed to be used in conjunction with ISO 9001:2015 certification and contains supplemental requirements specific to the automotive industry rather than being a stand-alone QMS. Tempel Burlington obtained the ISO 9001:2015 certification but did not apply for IATF 16949:2016 certification because it does not manufacture parts used on automotive related products.

To see a complete list of Tempel’s quality certifications at its facilities around the world, click here.